| Summary: | 34 II I S T 0 R Y O F G R A N D F ORKS C 0 U N T Y The colonization of a region in which the larger game, and the smaller fur bearing animals abound, leads to the gradual extinction of the fur trade. When such a region begins to be settled, the larger animals quickly retire before this first wave of advancing civilization; then, a little later, as the settlements spread and agriculture and its associated commercial operations are introduced into tlie newly occupied country, the smaller ones lessen in number, or, as in the case of the beaver, entirely disappear. Hence the reason of the hostility that the Northwest Fur company exercised toward Lord Selkirk's colonists in 1815 and 1816. They saw in the planting of this colony in the wilderness a menace to their business and its profitable gains. Had not Lord Selkirk possessed the requisite influence, the province of Manitoba would never have contained an agricultural population for nearly sixty years later, than, in this instance, happened to be the case. The fur traders of Inter times are believed to liaye circulated exaggerated reports respecting the rigors of ihe climate.so as to deter emigration to tlie valley. In the nature of the case, considering the steady and continuous west-by-north movement of the surplus population of the northern states, ever on tlie in-, crease by tlie yearly arrival of thousands from Europe, tiie possession of the Northwest by the fur traders necessarily became limited in time, being one of those conditions of life, which, both in the Canadian Dominion and in United States territory; must sooner or later reach its destined end, and be terminated, either by peaceable or. violent measures. The former method happily prevailed, but, in the meantime those engaged in the fur trade held a. close grip upon the country. It is apparant that they preferred that things should remain much as they had been and continue so as long as it was possible to maintain this phase of life. This long period of seventy or more years duration, devoted to the fur trade in tlie Red River Valley, has very aptly been called the "halfbreed epoch." Its duration was too long, for it to be classed as an incident in the history of the Northwest. In 1857, the English House of Commons took the initial step toward opening the British possessions in North Ainerica in the control of the Hudson Bay company to civilization and u.n- resticted commerce. Tlie committee having tlie matter in charge reported in favor of terminating the control of the Hudson Bay company at the end of their then 21 year term expiring in 1869. In 1857 the .Hudson Bay company completed arrangements with tlie Secretary of the Treasury of the United States whereby goods for that company could be carried in bond; through the- United States, thus practically doing away with the Hudson bay post known as York Factory, to which goods were then being shipped, vessels arriving and departing once a year. In the sum- Scanned with a Zeutschel Zeta book scanner at 300 dpi. Edited with Multi-Page TIFF Editor.
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